THE TRANS-AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY ". . . . . . . . A n d l crossed atoin

Ooer the nliles of the saltb~rsl~ plain- The shininq plain tlrat is said to he The dried-up bed o j an inland sea. IVhcre the air, so dry and so clear and hriqht Refracts the sun 1cit11 a toondrou~ li,oht, A n d 0111 in the dim horizon mol<es The deep hlr~e &am of the phanton~ loltes. For those tllat looe i t , and understand, The saltbus11 plain is a wonderland."-(A. B. PATERSON).

T o those who desire to obtain a conception of the continent of Australia, no experience is more helpful than a journey over the railway which links Western Australia with the Eastern States of the Commonwealth.

Distinguished people from many lands who have travelled overland to learn at first-hand the character of the country which lies beyond the populated seaboard, have been fascinated with the lure of the inland.

The inter-capital express trains operated by the State railway administrations connect with the Commonwealth's Trans-Australian Railway at the eastern terminal, Port Pirie, where the overland journey of 1,108 miles is commenced in a train replete with every modern convenience.

The aim of the Commonwealth Railways Commissioner is to provide on the Trans- Australian Railway all the amenities of a modern hotel. The restful lounges and spacious sleeping cabins have been designed to afford the utmost comfort to the traveller.

While the Trans-Australian journey does not present the scenic grandeur of other railway routes, it, nevertheless, offers glimpses of the unusual and offers an attractiveness and fascination found only in a sparsely-inhabitated region. It may be the delicate colours in the sky at sunset, the peculiar ol~tline of the hills, or the glimpse of a camel train, but it is certain that passengers who take the overland journey will be fascinated and interested.

TALKING POINTS. The Trans-Australian Railway between

Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie (1 05 1 miles), was completed on 17th October, 1917. The extension from Port Augusta to Port Pirie Junction-56 miles-was opened on 26th July, 1937.

he railway runs for over 400 miles across the Nullarbor Plain, and, of that distance, over 300 miles is without a curve-the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world.

The ~ u l l a r b o r Plain (Nulla-no, arbor- tree), has an area of probably 100,000 square miles. or more than the area of the State of victoria. The geology of this strange region is little known, but it is obvious that at one time it was sea bed. The limestone, most of it full of preserved shells, was, of course, laid down under water.

In the country for about 300 miles west of Port Augusta there are established large sheep stations, which support nearly a million sheep. The average rainfall in this area is between 7 and 8 inches, and it is far from being the desert which many people imagine.

Tarcoola is the largest settlement between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie. Before the construction of the railway the Tarcoola mail coach drawn by mule teams maintained a service with Port Augusta over a distance of 257 miles.

In the 1108 miles between Port Pirie Junction and Kalgoorlie there is not one permanent stream of fresh water. Water supplies are drawn from wells, bores, and dams. Water treatment plants are installed at several locations to treat the well and bore water to fit it for use in locomotive boilers.

The Commonwealth Railways Department operates its own stores to supply employees with meat, groceries, fruit and vegetables, clothing, and general house-hold lines. The main store is at Port Augusta with branches at Tarcoola, Cook, Rawlinna, and Parkeston. Employees at other locations are served from

9 ,

the " Tea and Sugar train which traverses the line in each direction weekly.

Modern refrigerated butchers vans are 9 .

a feature of the " Tea and Sugar train.

Fares (Subject to alteration without notice.)

1 I Adult Fare, Children Four Sears and I L'nder Fourteen Years.

including Reserved Seats, Sleeping Berths (where provided), and Meals on the

Trans-Australian and Perth-Kalgoorlie Lines.

1st Class. 2nd Class. 1st Class. 2nd Class.

5 s . d . 5 s . d . 5 s . d . 1 1 9 6 10 3 0 6 1 6 6 11 12 0 10 5 0 6 17 9 12 0 3 10 1 1 9 7 2 6 1 4 1 0 6 13 7 3 8 8 3

Perth 17 8 9 16 10 3 9 1 8 9 17 7 3 16 9 3 9 1 8 0

Brisbane 21 12 0 19 16 9 12 1 0

PortAugusta i : l2 S 5 8 1 7 0 7 8 3 5 6 3 Pt.Pirie Junction 12 13 1 9 2 1 0 7 12 1 5 9 2 Adelaide l5 6 3 1012 9 8 1 9 3 6 4 9

Kalgoorlie Melbourne 1 9 1 7 3 13 3 0 1 1 1 4 9 7 1 0 6 Canberra .. 25 1 9 16 0 3 1 4 1 7 9 9 0 6 SY+Y .. 24 19 9 15 19 9 14 16 9 9 0 3 Brisbane .. 30 14 9 20 4 6 18 4 3 1 1 3 3

AVAILABILITY OF TICKETS. Ordinary single inter-system tickets are

available as follows :- Single tickets between adjoining Systems, one

month. Single tickets between three or more Systems,

three months.

Break of journey is permitted at any station, provided the journey to destination is completed within the period above mentioned.

LUGGAGE. Free Allowance.

Passengers undertaking journeys between Capital cities-

1st Class . . . . 168 lb. 2nd Class . . .. 1121b.

Journeys other than above- l st Class . . .. 1121b. 2nd Class . . . . 84 lb.

Luggage Checks. Passengers may " check " their luggage

between any of the places at which inter- system rail tickets are on issue.

PRESS NEWS. A brief summary of the more important

news of the day is made available in the lounge car en route.

C O M M O N W E A L T H R A I L W A Y S

FOR THE

AUSTRAL

(BRISBANE-PERTH)

Issued by

The Commonwealth Railways Commissioner i l

1

i March, 1951 ~

PERTH TO BRISBANE TIME

P O R T AUCUSTA at t h e Rear1 of Spencer's Gulf . ( P h o t o 1)u D. Uanan S , , r~ tR . , l r l~ lazde . )

1 Miles Station*. l Times. Stations Times.

Explanation of Abbreviations and Symbols appearing in the above Time Table

EST denotes Eastern standard time, which i ahead of Perth time and 30 minutes ahead o time.

PT denotes Perth time, which is 14 hou Adelaide time and 2 hours behind Eastern stanl

CT denotes Central time, which is 45 m i n ~ of Perth time and 45 minutes behind Adel,

AT denotes Adelaide time, which is 11 ho of Perth time and 30 minutes behind Easter, time.

RR denotes Refreshment Rooms at which n be obtained.

RR* denotes Refreshment Rooms at wl refreshments only may be obtained.

(T) Te!ecrrams may be received at, or despat stations so marked.

~-

38 l

I046

1163

1240

-

1218

1186

894

658

603

603

530

404

372

TABLE (Subject to alteration without

notice) BRISBANE TO PERTH

-

6 9

241

380

382

448

510

547

615

716

799

918

985

499

392

489

5 0

PERTH . . . Port Augusta ( T ) . . arr. 6.00 a m . 1 A.T. T h .

.* -4 KALGOORLIE-'' The G o l d e n Mile." GD

Sat.

,, I . .

,, ..

Feet 1 Miles i Feet 1 Miler

Stations. I Tlmen. Stations T i m a .

bane 1 Mon.

,,

,,

,, ,.

Merredin . . . 6.15 a m .

---- __

S a t l T u ! T h .

- _ , - P

ST*. BRISBANE 621 l989 Pimba (T, . . ,/c;, AT. , 11.30 a.m.

,, ,,

l 3 9

1

7.04 a m .

8.13 a m . 8.56 a m .

SYDNEY RR . . nrr. 7.36 a.m. h'lon. 500 2033 Wirraminna . ,

489 2085 Kingoonsa (l') . . ,,

i 214 1451 N e c t a r Brook . . .. Southern Cross .. ' 6.40 a m . ., 1 ,, 1 ,,

(Change Trains) dep.

Parkeston ( T ) . . ..

C.T.

A.T.

! ,.

.

,,

1055 1 l a r ton

1174 Torcoola . .

l222 1 K i n g o o n ~ a (T) dep.

2 7 , Rrirraminna . . ,

2.10 a m . ,.

4.10 a.m. ,

,,

..

.. :; ,,

,,

,,

,, ,,

:: j :: ., , ,,

392 2 133 Tarcoola . . . . 6.56 a m . 4.7. ,, ~ ,, ,, ! 499 2251 Barton . . 10.49 a m . C.T. .. , ., ,,

3.13 p m .

9.00 p . m

10.49 p.m

2 . 3 a .

1622 -

1682 -

1.20 pm.

1.32 p m .

l - 101 -

53 -

,,

,,

,,

,,

Wed.

-

30

-

1416

398 -

53 -

101 p

18

-

67

2.30 a m .

4.30 a m .

,,

.,

.in.

,,

.,

621 '1318

287 ! 1379

" 1 18 i

l ADELAIDE RR .. arr. 1.15 p m . ,, p. .. ., (Change Trains) . . dep. 6.40 pm. ,. . V ., I ,,

Murray Bridse , ., ., .. .. .,

l l KALGOORLIE (T)

RR arr.

.. ,,

,,

,,

,,

,,

Sun.

,,

,,

,,

,,

,

Fri.

-

534

39

Cook . . . $ ' 3 0 C m n

Watson O

..

..

Pirnba(T) .. ,.

Bookaloo . . ..

,,

,,

PT.

C.T.

,,

,q ,, 1 .,

l l o o k . . , 6.34 p.m. Cross . . , '

8.45 p.m. 1 ,, ~ ,, 1 ,, i ., (1.) . . or,. 7.12 p m . ,. I ,, .. 1046 ~ 3138 Mer~edin . . * S I 1 . 0 p m . , ., 1 ,, 1 ,,

,, . . (/CD. 1 7.27 p.m. ':, :: 1 i i 1 ,. 2'37 1928 I 13ooki1loo . . . . 9 . 1 1 ~ . m . .. .. .. 1 .. 38 3307 PERTH . . . . ari . 7.10 a . m .. 1 Mon T h Sat,

I202

-

1276 -

1189

1625 -

1685

1819

--

I I

9.52 ..m.

11.52 a.m.

Karonie . . 3.38 p.m.

Zanthus I T )

'

5.55 /m.

c h e e r . . 1 6.59 p . , ."

7';. 1 S;.

1488

11.50 a m .

Tu. T h . ,, 5.17 p m . T u . T h .

-

1416

-

30

Rawlinna ( T ) . . / 2 3 P

o o n a n a T . . Z-5 0 C

2eid . . !K; . , -e

3307

-

2694

PORT PlRlE JUN. (T) RR* . . a

(Chance Trains) . . dep. ..

, 7.40 p m . Mon. \X1rd. - ,, 8.03 p.m. j- " Sat. ,Mon. Wed.

10.40 p m . 11.00 p.m. 9.20 a.m.

11.06 a m . 6.30 p.m.

(Chanrre Trains) . . rlcp. , 7.50 a m . I ,, , .. . 372 2322 Watson ..

MELBOURNERR r l r r . 1 1 . 3 0 a . m . 1 .. ~ ,, .. .. 404 2388 Cook ..

(Change Trains) . . dcp. 7.00 p m . I .. 1 ,, ,, , 540 2j07 1 Reid . . . . 8.30p.m. .. ,, ,, .. 10.42 p.m.

2.20 a m .

5.18 a.m.

STH. BRISBANE arr. 2.25 pm.

(Change Trains) . . dep. ,,

SYDNEY RR . . a r r .,

(Change Trains) d e ~ .

-

2295

-

2031 Ballarat RH . . a .

- 1 ,, . . dep.

2105 / MELBOURNE RR air .

6.30 p m .

10.20 p m .

Ballarnt RR . . r r 9.18 p.m. ,, . B . . . . & p . J9.20 p m . ,,

.. 19.38 pm. .. Serviceton . . 1 . I 2.57 a.m. E.S.T.

. . p ' 2.50 a m .

Murra,, 13ridse ~rn* orr. 6.20 a.m. ,. .. 6 . 4 0 a . m . ,,

ADELAIDE R R . . arr. 9.15 a.m. ,,

(Chance Trains) . . dep.

ALBURY RI . . arr.

0 3

,, ., . 603 2590 Loongana (T) - L 11.27 p m . .. .. .. . 5.2 ,.

Sun. . - 6. - Tu. 603 2692 Rawl inna(T)

Fri. , Mon. Wed. ,, ,, ., 658 2759 Kitchener I . .

., ,, , 894 2796 Zanthus ( T ) , ,, ,.

1186 2858 Karonie . . .. ., .,

7.10 a m .

7.35 a m .

9.30 a.m.

,, ,,

hloni \ ,cd ,

" l "

- -

(Change Trains) . . &,I. 1 1.15 p m .

PORT PlRlE J U N . i 11.10 ..m. , .. .. .. ., (T) RR* 4 p . ,, ,, .. .,

(Change Train?) :: ,7:;: ~ 5.05 p m . .. .. .. . S 3.10 p m . , , .. ,.

,,

,,

1

,.

,,

1 Sat,

"

Sdt.

..

.. .. $ 9 ,.

,, $ 9

.,

..

.. S +

.S

. .. 1 . . ., , p

PERTH TO BRISBANE

P O E T AUCUSTA at t h e Read of Spencer's Gulf .

O'lioto !)U I). Danan Sna,th, r ldr latde. )

' Miles Stations. Times.

above Times.

-~ - p -.-l -

38 - PERTH .. . . dep 8.10 p.m. P.T. Wed. Fri. l-P 21 1431 Port Augusta (T ) .. nrr. 1 6.00 a m . A.T.

Explanation of Abbreviations and Symbols appearing in the above Time Table

EST denotes Eastern standard time, which is 2 Ilours ahead of Perth time and 30 minutes ahead of Adelaide time.

PT denotes Perth time, which is 19 hours behint1 Adelaide time and 2 hours behind Eastern standard time.

CT denotes Central time, which is 45 minutes ahead of Perth time and 45 minutes behind Adelaide time.

AT denotes Adelaide time, which is 1 % hours ahead of Perth time and 30 minutes behind Eastern standard time.

RR denotes Refreshment Rooms at which meals may be obtained.

RR* denotes Refreshment Rooms at which light refreshments only may be obtained.

(T) Te!egrams may be received at, or despatched from stations so marked.

TABLE (Subject to alteration without notice) BRISBANE TO PERTH

1046

1163

1240

Feet 1 M i les ; Feet Mile, , above from 1 Stations. 1 Tlrner. l above from Stations Sea- Erk- Sea- Brts- Tirnn. level bane 1 level ! h i c

L _ - -- I l l --l-

169

241

380

l l Merredin . . .. 3.24 a.m. ., T h .

Southern Cross .. 6.40 a m . ., 1 ,, 1 ,,

STH. BRISBANE

SYDNEY R R , ,

Sat. - ,,

R R orr. 11.50 a m . ,, .. ,. { - p (Change Trains) . . dep. p - (Change Trains) b p 1.20 p m . .. :: ..

101 1622 ADELAIDE RR . . orr. 1218 382 Parkeston (T ) (Clianee Trains) . . dep.

1186 448 Karonie . . . . Murrai B r i d ~ e RR* o r r p dep.

894 510 Zanthus (T) . . orr.

658 547 Kitchener . . dep.

603 6 1 j Rawlinna(T) . . o r

603 7 6 Loongana (T ) . . J e p

510 799 Zeid . . RR orr.

404 918 Cook . . - (Chanae Trains) . . dep.

372 985 'X'atson . orr.

499 1055 Uarton 3.13 p m . C.T. ,, .. ,, (Change Trains) . . dep. ,

392 1 174 Tnrcoola . . . air. ,

(Change Trains) d e ~ . , ,,

orr. ,, ,,

KALGOORLIE (T)

(Chanre Trains) . .

ALBURY R R . .

(Change Trains) . .

-

8.56 a.m.

I . p . , 6.40 p.m.

9.13 p m . 9.30 p.m.

12.57 a m . 1.35 a.m.

7.10 a m .

7.35 a m .

9.30 a m .

6.30 p m .

10.20 p.m.

10.40 p m . 11.00 p m . 9.20 a .m

11.06 a m . 6.30 p m . 7.40 p m . 8.03 p.m.

2.25 p.m. 3 .19p.m. 5.17 p.m.

l I

dcr. i 1 c.53 a m . \ E ,, 1 l l .30 a m . 1 .S.T. Tu . Fri.

nrr . .. 7.36 7.50 a m . a m . 1 ,, ' - 1 - \Yd . - -

., 7.46 a .m j Sat. , 9.01 a m . Wed. I Sat.

&p. 1 7.30 p.m. , 8.10 p m .

o r 1 7 a . . 1, ~ h , sun, ., 7.30 a.m. J

dcp. 7.50 a m . ,, ,. .v

,, .,

,, ,,

.. ,. A.T.

E.S.T.

30 l202 MELBOURNE R R u , r , ~ 11.30 a m .

- - C T r a i n . . b. 7.00 p m . 1: 1 1:

" . . dep. 6.15 a.m. l 9 9

9 .

3 .

I ,,

,. .,

Sun. .,

.. .. 9 .

.,

p,

,,

Fri. ,,

i 214 ., ,

I 18 i ,,

,,

,, I ,,

., ,,

Tu . ,.

,, 1416 -

398 -

Mon. I -

hlon.

Tu.

l . -

T u . . Wed.

I

1451 Nectar Brook . ,, 7.04 a m .

,,

,,

,,

.. ~ 9 , 1 .. .. 53

101 -

1488

1276 -

1359

..

Pimba (T )

Wirraminna

Kinzoonya (T)

Tarcoola . .

Barton . . Watson . .

Cool; . .

Reid . .

Loonaana (T)

Rawlinna (T )

Kitchener

Zanthus (T )

Karonie . .

Parliestull (T )

Ballarat R R

., . .

Serviceton

7 ,

1625 -

1685

18

PORT PlRlE JUN. (T) RR* . o r .

.. h'lurrav Rrid4e I ~ R * rrrr. 6.20 a m . . .. .. , ,, d c p . 6 .30a .m . ., ,. S.

ADELAIDE R R . . orr. , 9.15 a.m. ( C l ~ a n ~ e Trains) . . (hp . l p ,, .j :: ::

8.13 a.m. . . ,. 4.10 a.m.

. . m

. ? 10.19 a.m. C.T. ,. .. ,, %

,,

"

1819

- -

2 I I876 Port iZugusta (1') . . nrr. 7.12 p m . ,, 1 ., 1036 3138 1 Mer~edin ; 1 . .. 1 1 . 4 0 p . m . ,. I ,, .. . i i ~ u I 7.27 p.111. l ,, 1 ,, 1 :: 1 1: 1 .j !

2'37 1928 ! l<~ok;lloo . . .. 9.33 p.m. .. .. .. .. 38 3307 1 PERTH . . . . or.. 7.10 a.,. 1 ,, Mon 1 ;h. 1 S:, -

W . . =

" 1 ' *

211 l856

8 l 2927 KALGOORLIE (T) nrr. 11.10 a m . I s 1 .. v ,

- l (Change Trains) . c1c.p. 3.10 p m . .. .. ~ ..

COMFORT AND SERVICE. .-

The comfort of the travelling public is the first consideration of the train staff, and it is the duty of the conductors, who are provided in both first and second class cars, and the waiters in the dining car, to minister in every reasonable way to the comfort of passengers. Their instructions are to give ladies, children, elderly people, and invalids special attention.

PORT PlRlE JUN. 1 (T) RR* u r r 4.15 p m . .,

C T a n . . h p . 5.03 p m . l , 1: 1 :: 1 y : ,.

.. ,

I 1' "

,,

Any complaints should be reported at once to the Senior Conductor or Senior Waiter, and if not rectified full particulars should be con- veyed in writing to the Chief Traffic Manager, Commonwealth Railways, Port Augusta.

1.35 p.m.

1230

Nectar Brook . . ,. 1 6.34 p m . .. l ., 1 .. . 3056 Southrrn Cross . . .. 8.45 p m . l .. .. 1 .. 1 ,,

sa t .

Sat. -

Sat.

Sun.

- Sun.

Mon. h'lon.

- Tu. Tu.

Suggestions for improvement of the service will be welcomed by the Chief Traffic Manager.

1163 Wed. \Xrcd.

- T h . Th .

., l ,,

4.28 p m .

8.30 p m .

,, i ,,

" s.2 a ;

1

11.27 p m .

., ,

,,

.. .,

,

,.

.. Sun.

" l

,,

Wed. . . ;;

. . ? T

E .

Fri. 4.12 a m . C . T . l

5.28 a.m. P.T. '. I ,'

,, ,,

,, ~ ,,

. . , ,

6.46 a m . ' ,. . .

, 8.57 a m . ~ ,. ~ ,.

I . . 11.00 a.rn. '

I.

3